F1
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
F1 is a comedy about two young women who share the same home country, Iran, but have led vastly different lives. It’s a character driven film in which the stories of the women take center stage. A passionate, majority female cast and crew are at the helm of F1, and can’t wait to share this story.
F1
Los Angeles, California | Film Feature
Comedy, Drama
1 Campaigns | California, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $40,480 for pre-production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
450 supporters | followers
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F1 is a comedy about two young women who share the same home country, Iran, but have led vastly different lives. It’s a character driven film in which the stories of the women take center stage. A passionate, majority female cast and crew are at the helm of F1, and can’t wait to share this story.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
F1 is a comedy about Mitra, an Iranian student on an F1 visa attending a university in California, who has her visa status revoked after only one semester for unknowingly violating its terms by being offered payment for volunteer tutoring services. The course of her future has been altered by getting kicked out of school, forcing her to go back to Iran without completing her degree program.
Nazanin (Naz), an American born Iranian actress whose own life is in disarray due to the horrible breakup of a long-term relationship, and who is currently homeless and sleeping on a friend's couch, is asked by her mother (who's oblivious to her daughter's recent setbacks) to do her a favor. She's been tasked with the responsibility of helping Mitra pack up her things, and housing her for the weekend, before putting her on a flight out of LAX to Tehran.
Naz, unable to tell her mom the truth about her current situation, only agrees to this because Mitra's car has been promised to her as a token of appreciation from Mitra's mom for her troubles. At first, Naz just wants to get through the weekend and get back to her pity party. However, once she spends more time with Mitra, she starts to feel bad for someone other than herself. Upon learning the severity of Mitra's situation, with no real solution to the problem in sight, Naz decides to show Mitra a good time in LA during her last few days in America, hoping to send her to a more restricted life in Iran with a few good memories.
*************************************************************************************
A Note from our Director Shahrzad Davani
I’ve always loved movies more than anything else in the world. They kept me company when I was sick as a child and couldn’t play outside. They showed me the world of American culture in a way that my Iranian immigrant parents could not. The power of film was never lost on me, but I didn’t know much about how they were made. All I knew was that I wanted to be a part of that power in any capacity allowed.
Growing up, I never saw women, especially women of color, as directors. I thought that the only way for women to work on films was as an actress, costume designer, or makeup artist, all areas I wasn't very talented in. So when I got to my first set as an intern, I was thrilled to meet a female Assistant Director (AD)! She took me under her wing and told me I would make a great AD. I never thought twice about that role because I was so happy to have found a place in the world of filmmaking.
Directing, more than any other position, requires permission and support. I didn't think anyone would ever grant me the access and support necessary to direct a project. I was more than happy to continue to support others in telling their story because I felt that it was the next best thing. Yet as the climate in the industry kept changing, so did my belief and confidence in my own right as a director.
I am fortunate to have been an AD for the past fifteen years. I’ve learned the technical side of filmmaking, as well as how to approach and solve problems on and off set. Working so closely with directors has equipped me with the necessary skills to take on any and all tasks. It is very scary and humbling to embark on this next chapter of my career, but I am equally excited to share this story.
*************************************************************************************
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $15,000
An important part of prep is locations, F1 is hinged on using LA locations that fit the aesthetic.
Costume Design
Costs $5,000
An important part of prepping a film is designing the characters looks and costumes.
Prep Crew
Costs $20,000
We have a very talented crew on board to make this film and cannot ask them to donate their time.
Legal & Clearance
Costs $10,000
We cannot make a movie without the help of legal council or script clearance
Share this update!
About This Team
Shahrzad Davani | Director & Producer
Shahrzad Davani has a distinguished career spanning 15 years as a premier assistant director to a long list of first and second-time directors in the independent film world. This is not to take away from her tireless work to help put together movies as a producer on many Sundance, SXSW, and TIFF successfully packaged and sold independent films. It is not uncommon for directors to request Shahrzad to be their longtime first assistant director, she has an incredible ability to teach and guide novice and emerging filmmakers to great success in the editing room with their films. She cares a great deal about how the art of storytelling can unfold in front of the camera. She is gifted technically in all aspects of camera and filmmaking logistics. Highlights of Shahrzad’s 38 film titles are: Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Who Walks Home Alone at Night & Bad Batch with Annapurna; James Gunn’s Super, Lee Toland Krieger’s Celeste and Jesse Forever & The Vicious Kind, Shira Piven’s Welcome to Me, Liza Johnson’sHateship Loveship, Ned Benson’s The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers and Jeff Baena’s Little Hours.
Lindsay Lanzillotta | Producer
Lindsay Lanzillotta is an independent producer of critically acclaimed and award-winning films. She is best known for producing writer/director Lee Toland Krieger's The Vicious Kind (Age of Adeline, Riverdale) starring Adam Scott (Step Brothers, Parks and Recreation), Oscar-winning actor JK Simmons (Whiplash, Justice League) and Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect 1, 2, 3); and Karyn Kusama's The Invitation (Girlfight, AEon Flux, Jennifer’s Body), written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay (Clash of the Titans, Ride Along). The Vicious Kind was an Official Selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated in 2010 for two Film Independent Spirit Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Male Lead. Adam Scott won Best Performance at the Birmingham Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival and Best Actor at the Strasbourg International Film Festival. It was also honored with the Emerging Filmmaker Award at the Denver International Film Festival and won Best Narrative Feature at the New Orleans Festival.
The Invitation was the opening night midnight selection of the 2015 SXSW and honored with the grand prize win at the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Fest 2015, the International Critic's Award at the Neuchatel International Fantasy Film Festival and took best picture at the 48th Sitges Fantastic Film Festival in Spain, the highest regarded European Genre Film Festival. The Invitation has graced many top ten lists of 2016. Lindsay is a Toronto native and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
Elizabeth Meza | Producer
Elizabeth Meza is a San Diego born, LA-based producer and filmmaker. She has spent the earlier years of her career in various production positions from production assistant, script supervisor, to production designer. But it's these positions that have made it clear that her passion is in producing. Her short films "It's a Match" and "Red Dirt", with Director and Actor Arnold Chun, were successfully received at film festivals across the country.
Elizabeth has spent the last three years working for the well-established camera house Panavision, garnering her experience assisting high volume productions and knowledge of the latest and greatest camera equipment the industry has to offer. She has also spent the last three years supporting the Pacific Arts Movement, an organization responsible for the production of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, where she became inspired to tell stories that are under-represented in Hollywood.
This will be her first feature film as a producer.
Jeanne Tyson | Director of Photography
Jeanne Tyson is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer and filmmaker. Her work includes narrative and documentary features, shorts, and series, and has been featured in film festivals worldwide.
Jeanne recently had the opportunity to be the DP on Gingerbread Giants, a holiday special for The Food Network, as well as on the series Give on NBC. Her current work includes several projects with Director Nicole Jones, a narrative feature with Director Shahrzad Davani, as well as a series on the Food Network with Showrunner Kate Kenny.
Jeanne frequently lectures on cinematography, directing, and production. Some recent engagements include being an adjunct lecturer in the Department Film & Television at USC, the Film Independent Director’s Toolkit Series and the Warner Brothers Director’s Workshop.
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Jeanne earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Theatre from Rhodes College, and an M.F.A. in Production and Cinematography from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.
Nazanin Nour | Writer & Actress
Nazanin Nour is an actor and writer based in Los Angeles. She has appeared on network TV in such shows as Madam Secretary, Criminal Minds, and Political Animals. She also writes, directs, and stars in sketch comedy pieces for her YouTube Channel. Her standout videos have featured her most notable character, the Persian Mom, and have gone viral.
She graduated with a B.A. from George Mason University, double majoring in Government & International Politics, and Communications, with a minor in Media Criticism. She stays politically active, is proud of her Iranian roots, and loves making people laugh. When she’s not busy on Instagram, she continues her pursuit of finding the perfect red velvet cupcake (with cream cheese frosting, of course).
You can follow her multiple personalities on YouTube - Nazanin Nour, watch her act a fool on Instagram @frecklednaz, read her Twitter musings @NazaninNour, or visit her Facebook Page - Nazanin Nour.
Mitra Jouhari | Actress
Mitra Jouhari is a writer and performer based in Brooklyn, New York. She has written on “Miracle Workers” (upcoming on TBS) and “The President Show (Comedy Central) - for which she received a WGA Award Nomination for Writing on a Comedy/Variety Sketch Series. Prior to that, she was a staffer on “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS). Film/TV Acting Credits include The Big Sick, Broad City, Friends From College, Miracle Workers, The President Show, Full Frontal w/ Samantha Bee, as well as the short films “Places, Thank You, Places” and “Bangin’ Ideas.” She has also appeared in comedy videos for Comedy Central, The New Yorker, Above Average, Refinery29’s Riot, IFC, and more. She performs live comedy all around NYC and tours to other cities regularly. You can catch her co-hosting the monthly show “It’s A Guy Thing” (named one of the Top 10 Alt-Comedy Shows in NYC by Paste Magazine) as well as performing in Yardsale Comedy, comprised of the former members of the Holy Fuck Comedy Hour (also named one of the Top 10 Alt-Comedy Shows). She is one-third of the sketch group “Three Busy Debras”, whose self-titled play “Three Busy Debras” had a sold-out run at the Annoyance Theater as well as another sold-out play at Carnegie Hall. Her writing has appeared in McSweeney’s, Splitsider, The LA Review of Books, Rookie, Flaunt Magazine, Reductress, Reality Beach, and other cool places. She is from Ohio which is why she is nice.
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
F1 is a comedy about Mitra, an Iranian student on an F1 visa attending a university in California, who has her visa status revoked after only one semester for unknowingly violating its terms by being offered payment for volunteer tutoring services. The course of her future has been altered by getting kicked out of school, forcing her to go back to Iran without completing her degree program.
Nazanin (Naz), an American born Iranian actress whose own life is in disarray due to the horrible breakup of a long-term relationship, and who is currently homeless and sleeping on a friend's couch, is asked by her mother (who's oblivious to her daughter's recent setbacks) to do her a favor. She's been tasked with the responsibility of helping Mitra pack up her things, and housing her for the weekend, before putting her on a flight out of LAX to Tehran.
Naz, unable to tell her mom the truth about her current situation, only agrees to this because Mitra's car has been promised to her as a token of appreciation from Mitra's mom for her troubles. At first, Naz just wants to get through the weekend and get back to her pity party. However, once she spends more time with Mitra, she starts to feel bad for someone other than herself. Upon learning the severity of Mitra's situation, with no real solution to the problem in sight, Naz decides to show Mitra a good time in LA during her last few days in America, hoping to send her to a more restricted life in Iran with a few good memories.
*************************************************************************************
A Note from our Director Shahrzad Davani
I’ve always loved movies more than anything else in the world. They kept me company when I was sick as a child and couldn’t play outside. They showed me the world of American culture in a way that my Iranian immigrant parents could not. The power of film was never lost on me, but I didn’t know much about how they were made. All I knew was that I wanted to be a part of that power in any capacity allowed.
Growing up, I never saw women, especially women of color, as directors. I thought that the only way for women to work on films was as an actress, costume designer, or makeup artist, all areas I wasn't very talented in. So when I got to my first set as an intern, I was thrilled to meet a female Assistant Director (AD)! She took me under her wing and told me I would make a great AD. I never thought twice about that role because I was so happy to have found a place in the world of filmmaking.
Directing, more than any other position, requires permission and support. I didn't think anyone would ever grant me the access and support necessary to direct a project. I was more than happy to continue to support others in telling their story because I felt that it was the next best thing. Yet as the climate in the industry kept changing, so did my belief and confidence in my own right as a director.
I am fortunate to have been an AD for the past fifteen years. I’ve learned the technical side of filmmaking, as well as how to approach and solve problems on and off set. Working so closely with directors has equipped me with the necessary skills to take on any and all tasks. It is very scary and humbling to embark on this next chapter of my career, but I am equally excited to share this story.
*************************************************************************************
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Locations
Costs $15,000
An important part of prep is locations, F1 is hinged on using LA locations that fit the aesthetic.
Costume Design
Costs $5,000
An important part of prepping a film is designing the characters looks and costumes.
Prep Crew
Costs $20,000
We have a very talented crew on board to make this film and cannot ask them to donate their time.
Legal & Clearance
Costs $10,000
We cannot make a movie without the help of legal council or script clearance
Share this update!
About This Team
Shahrzad Davani | Director & Producer
Shahrzad Davani has a distinguished career spanning 15 years as a premier assistant director to a long list of first and second-time directors in the independent film world. This is not to take away from her tireless work to help put together movies as a producer on many Sundance, SXSW, and TIFF successfully packaged and sold independent films. It is not uncommon for directors to request Shahrzad to be their longtime first assistant director, she has an incredible ability to teach and guide novice and emerging filmmakers to great success in the editing room with their films. She cares a great deal about how the art of storytelling can unfold in front of the camera. She is gifted technically in all aspects of camera and filmmaking logistics. Highlights of Shahrzad’s 38 film titles are: Ana Lily Amirpour’s A Girl Who Walks Home Alone at Night & Bad Batch with Annapurna; James Gunn’s Super, Lee Toland Krieger’s Celeste and Jesse Forever & The Vicious Kind, Shira Piven’s Welcome to Me, Liza Johnson’sHateship Loveship, Ned Benson’s The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers and Jeff Baena’s Little Hours.
Lindsay Lanzillotta | Producer
Lindsay Lanzillotta is an independent producer of critically acclaimed and award-winning films. She is best known for producing writer/director Lee Toland Krieger's The Vicious Kind (Age of Adeline, Riverdale) starring Adam Scott (Step Brothers, Parks and Recreation), Oscar-winning actor JK Simmons (Whiplash, Justice League) and Brittany Snow (Pitch Perfect 1, 2, 3); and Karyn Kusama's The Invitation (Girlfight, AEon Flux, Jennifer’s Body), written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay (Clash of the Titans, Ride Along). The Vicious Kind was an Official Selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated in 2010 for two Film Independent Spirit Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Male Lead. Adam Scott won Best Performance at the Birmingham Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival and Best Actor at the Strasbourg International Film Festival. It was also honored with the Emerging Filmmaker Award at the Denver International Film Festival and won Best Narrative Feature at the New Orleans Festival.
The Invitation was the opening night midnight selection of the 2015 SXSW and honored with the grand prize win at the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Fest 2015, the International Critic's Award at the Neuchatel International Fantasy Film Festival and took best picture at the 48th Sitges Fantastic Film Festival in Spain, the highest regarded European Genre Film Festival. The Invitation has graced many top ten lists of 2016. Lindsay is a Toronto native and lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children.
Elizabeth Meza | Producer
Elizabeth Meza is a San Diego born, LA-based producer and filmmaker. She has spent the earlier years of her career in various production positions from production assistant, script supervisor, to production designer. But it's these positions that have made it clear that her passion is in producing. Her short films "It's a Match" and "Red Dirt", with Director and Actor Arnold Chun, were successfully received at film festivals across the country.
Elizabeth has spent the last three years working for the well-established camera house Panavision, garnering her experience assisting high volume productions and knowledge of the latest and greatest camera equipment the industry has to offer. She has also spent the last three years supporting the Pacific Arts Movement, an organization responsible for the production of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, where she became inspired to tell stories that are under-represented in Hollywood.
This will be her first feature film as a producer.
Jeanne Tyson | Director of Photography
Jeanne Tyson is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer and filmmaker. Her work includes narrative and documentary features, shorts, and series, and has been featured in film festivals worldwide.
Jeanne recently had the opportunity to be the DP on Gingerbread Giants, a holiday special for The Food Network, as well as on the series Give on NBC. Her current work includes several projects with Director Nicole Jones, a narrative feature with Director Shahrzad Davani, as well as a series on the Food Network with Showrunner Kate Kenny.
Jeanne frequently lectures on cinematography, directing, and production. Some recent engagements include being an adjunct lecturer in the Department Film & Television at USC, the Film Independent Director’s Toolkit Series and the Warner Brothers Director’s Workshop.
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Jeanne earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art and Theatre from Rhodes College, and an M.F.A. in Production and Cinematography from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television.
Nazanin Nour | Writer & Actress
Nazanin Nour is an actor and writer based in Los Angeles. She has appeared on network TV in such shows as Madam Secretary, Criminal Minds, and Political Animals. She also writes, directs, and stars in sketch comedy pieces for her YouTube Channel. Her standout videos have featured her most notable character, the Persian Mom, and have gone viral.
She graduated with a B.A. from George Mason University, double majoring in Government & International Politics, and Communications, with a minor in Media Criticism. She stays politically active, is proud of her Iranian roots, and loves making people laugh. When she’s not busy on Instagram, she continues her pursuit of finding the perfect red velvet cupcake (with cream cheese frosting, of course).
You can follow her multiple personalities on YouTube - Nazanin Nour, watch her act a fool on Instagram @frecklednaz, read her Twitter musings @NazaninNour, or visit her Facebook Page - Nazanin Nour.
Mitra Jouhari | Actress
Mitra Jouhari is a writer and performer based in Brooklyn, New York. She has written on “Miracle Workers” (upcoming on TBS) and “The President Show (Comedy Central) - for which she received a WGA Award Nomination for Writing on a Comedy/Variety Sketch Series. Prior to that, she was a staffer on “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee” (TBS). Film/TV Acting Credits include The Big Sick, Broad City, Friends From College, Miracle Workers, The President Show, Full Frontal w/ Samantha Bee, as well as the short films “Places, Thank You, Places” and “Bangin’ Ideas.” She has also appeared in comedy videos for Comedy Central, The New Yorker, Above Average, Refinery29’s Riot, IFC, and more. She performs live comedy all around NYC and tours to other cities regularly. You can catch her co-hosting the monthly show “It’s A Guy Thing” (named one of the Top 10 Alt-Comedy Shows in NYC by Paste Magazine) as well as performing in Yardsale Comedy, comprised of the former members of the Holy Fuck Comedy Hour (also named one of the Top 10 Alt-Comedy Shows). She is one-third of the sketch group “Three Busy Debras”, whose self-titled play “Three Busy Debras” had a sold-out run at the Annoyance Theater as well as another sold-out play at Carnegie Hall. Her writing has appeared in McSweeney’s, Splitsider, The LA Review of Books, Rookie, Flaunt Magazine, Reductress, Reality Beach, and other cool places. She is from Ohio which is why she is nice.